DAVID Miliband visited Goldsmiths students in New Cross last week as part of his university tour.

The Labour politician took part in a question and answer session with 250 students, chaired by Dr Simon Griffiths from the department of politics.

He answered questions on international issues from the Afghan conflict to Middle East uprisings.

He said: "Politics feels short term, tactical and small when the issues are long term, strategic and big.

"That's my diagnosis of why there is frustration, at best, with politics and part of the reason why I am doing this university tour."

Dr Griffiths said afterwards: "The debate was sometimes fiery, yet David was frank and open in his answers. The discussion showed how engaged Goldsmiths students are on issues, both global and local, and how keen they are to turn words into action."

The event was organised by Goldsmiths Labour Students and the politics department.